SmartAssembly Moldbase Toolset Examples

Moldbase from empty template: This script shows how quickly you can create a fully parametric DME A-Series moldbase from an empty template. At the beginning of the video, empty plates are copied to the working folder from the template library. Many of the standard components are quickly added to the assembly using a series of SmartAssembly scripts. Each of these components automatically adds the required features to the plates. These features include model notes for use on the drawings. The SmartAssembly dialog boxes are used to guide the user through placement of each component, a picture shows the user what to pick, and in most cases the required references are automatically selected.

Adding screws: This script can add any size socket head cap screw to any assembly. This flexible script allows screws to be added along with a variety of options for number of plates, hole configurations, and sizes. This script uses local standard drill and tap depths to reduce build costs and errors. Watch as the screw is modified and all the holes update and the note (used on the drawing) is also automatically updated. This is all driven by a simple SmartAssembly script.

Modify interlocks: In the first video, the interlocks were added to the design. Now the design intent has changed and the interlocks must change. This video shows the SmartAssembly "modify" command, and the user selects the existing interlocks to change how the plates are cut for this design. SmartAssembly removes the existing features in the plates and adds new features to reflect the new design intent.

Move interlocks: This is quick way for the user to move the interlocks in the current design. SmartAssembly moves all the plate features and components in the assembly.

Adding Waterline Fittings: The first part of this video shows SmartAssembly creating the waterline curves in one plate. The next step is in the assembly, where another SmartAssembly script adds waterline bores in the plates and then assembles the waterline fittings. The user selects two planes and the waterline curve that drives the bore in the plate. During the placement process, the user can re-select any of the references if required. Existing fittings are easily copied to other locations in the assembly using the same SmartAssembly script.

Resize the Moldbase (DME): This script can generate all catalog sizes of the DME moldbase. Catalog locations for all components and sizes for all plates are automatically updated. Components such as clamp screws are added and removed as required. Notice how the notes (used on the drawings) are automatically updated. Notice how the components, such as the main guide pins, adjust size based on the current catalog size. There is no use of Pro/PROGRAM and no layouts, this is a short SmartAssembly script driving a regular Pro/ENGINEER assembly and its components.

Add or remove plates: This script allows the user to quickly add and remove plates in the current moldbase. All the related plate locations are adjusted and in some cases the new plates are automatically populated with required features for existing mold components. At the end of the video, the plates are assigned colors based on a user-specific color definition file.

Open and eject the moldbase: In the first part of this video, the ejector limit pins have a parameter for the BOM listing the cut length. This cut length parameter is based on the ejector stroke in the moldbase. As the ejector stroke is changed, the pin length is automatically adjusted and the parameter is updated. The next script allows the user to quickly open the moldbase and actuate the ejector plates up or down.

Resize the Moldbase (HASCO): This is the HASCO resize script. Any of 2,700,000 versions of the moldbase assembly can be created using this script in seconds. Each component of this assembly is SmartAssembly driven similar to DME and PCS.